Frame-wise, this thing is stiff! I'm 5' 11.5" and 195 lb. range. Columbus Muscle seat stays would tame the sometimes "too stiff" rear end. It would fit me better with about 7 mm. added to the TT length with a 110mm stem. Maybe a different paint scheme some day.

I've decided to get a steel frame made for vacation and other non-goal oriented use so I am curious what people's steel bikes are like. What components are on it, what you would change, like or dislike?

I am thinking of going with downtube shifters and a steel fork in one version of it.

Seeing that you are curious, I'll show you mine. (Any excuse!)

Fillet brazed frame, custom geometry to my own spec. 1.69kg (Approx. size 55cm)
ITM Millenium 1" fork 400g
Dura Ace 9spd, Cinelli Eubios, ITM Millenium stem, SLR/Carbon Alien, Keo pedals, Open Pro rims 32h 3X with DT Revs, Conti GP 3000 + Supersonic, FRM QRs.
Total weight currently 8.07kg / 17.8 lbs.
There's nothing really about the frame that I would change, since I put a lot of thought into the design in the light of many years experience of cycling. But, if I did want anything changed, it would be an option.
I am constantly upgrading components to reduce weight and increase performance, though I do have an underlying rule of not compromising it's rideability ie functioning and comfort.
Down tube levers are certainly an option to simplify a bike and reduce weight, though it may limit your choice of more up to date components.
Nothing rides quite like a good steel fork, but there is a large weight penalty.

Caygill Ultra Foco with Lightweight wheels, love it and it's very comfortable. Approx 6.6 - 6.7 kg. Ialso have two bikes with Reynolds 853, but the Ultra Foco's better.

Eek, what's the length of that front tire's valve? i'm old enough to still remember the time when the frame had to fit and one didn't need to push the saddle to the rear end and mount a stem as long as a grown man's arm. Nice bike, otherwise i like the paintjob! but just one bottlecage?

Caygill Ultra Foco with Lightweight wheels, love it and it's very comfortable. Approx 6.6 - 6.7 kg. Ialso have two bikes with Reynolds 853, but the Ultra Foco's better.

Eek, what's the length of that front tire's valve? i'm old enough to still remember the time when the frame had to fit and one didn't need to push the saddle to the rear end and mount a stem as long as a grown man's arm. Nice bike, otherwise i like the paintjob! but just one bottlecage? Martin

The frame does fit, I've actually changed the stem to a 12cm, it was a bit stretched. The top tube is quite short, but I prefer it that way. The saddle is not that far back; I've seen them much further. One bottle cage on the bike, but it has one that's not used on the seat tube. The valve came from my LBS, the wheels of course from our hosts.

There are reasons for having a steel bike that haven't been considered here - if you're a weight weenie and you like to travel with your pride and joy, one convenient way to do it is with S&S Machine BTCs (which are for steel and Ti frames, though these won't work with the ultralight Ti tubesets), unless you want to go for smaller wheels...

Since last year, when it was featured on the Cycling Plus stand at the London Cycle Show (lightest bike at the show at 5.5kg) it has been lightened a bit more, with new AX seatpost and saddle, BTP Campy Record FD, cork brake pads, lighter cable splitters and lighter Tune hubs (wheels are now under 1kg for the pair and can be happily ridden up and down mountains).

Sensibly set up for actual riding, with "real-life" tubulars (and chainrings and cassette) etc it comes in at 5.8kgs and is still a mind-blowing ride.

But best of all, within an hour I can pack/unpack it into a 26x26x10" suitcase, along with all my related cycling gear, carry it on my back/use public transport to get to the airport and squeeze under Ryanair's pitiful 15kg baggage allowance (and the standard airline checked baggage size limit).

hard to explain really, something about steel that is fun to ride, I ride an apollo frame that I've converted to single speed, weighs in at 25 pounds. I lopped off 5 pounds by changing wheels, brakes, etc

also you can rag on it and it won't brake, can't say that for CF frames

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